Angry mob burn suspected motorcycle thief to death in Ogun

Tuesday, March, 24 2026 - A yet-to-be-identified man has been beaten and set ablaze in Magbon Village, along the Powerline area in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, over allegations of motorcycle theft.

punch Metro gathered from eyewitnesses that the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Friday when a group of about five men allegedly chased the victim on a motorcycle before knocking him down near a bush.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident, said the attackers descended on the man, beating him with sticks and inflicting a deep cut on his forehead.

The source added that while the assault was ongoing, some of the assailants poured petrol on the victim—who had already slumped—and set him ablaze.

“They chased him on an okada from Ola Imam Bus Stop along Igbo-Olomu Road, accusing him of stealing a motorcycle. Three suspects are currently in custody at the Ogijo Police Division.

“The victim was still breathing when the police arrived. He was rushed to a hospital but died shortly after. Some of those who set him on fire are still on the run. We don’t want this kind of incident in our community,” the source said.

A resident, identified simply as Adeoye, told our correspondent that the intervention of bystanders prevented the victim from dying at the scene.

“The Divisional Police Officer of Ogijo personally visited the scene. Some residents who witnessed the incident followed the police to the station, but their statements were not taken. We want a thorough investigation. Those responsible must be prosecuted,” he said.

Another resident, Rasaq, said members of the community pursued and apprehended three of the suspects, who were subsequently handed over to the police.

“They poured petrol on him, but before the fire could completely consume him, people intervened. Both the victim and the suspects are believed to be from the northern part of the country.

“Sadly, he later died in the hospital,” he said.

Rasaq added that officers from the Ogijo Police Division evacuated the victim and took the arrested suspects into custody.

When contacted on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident, adding that three suspects had been arrested.

He said, “On Friday, March 20, 2026, police responded swiftly to a mob attack in Elepete, Ogijo, where a severely injured victim was rescued but later died in the hospital.

“Three suspects have been arrested, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.”.